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You Will Not And You Cannot

”And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.” | Genesis 39: 22

The Savior makes two statements to the religious people of His day that show us how completely dependent we are on the Lord to save us.

”And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5: 40)

”No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6: 44)

You and I are totally dependent on the Lord to save us because our dead will is so stubborn, we refuse to come to Christ for life and righteousness and forgiveness of our sin, even when He is preached to us.

Our nature is also dead in sin so we lack the capacity to come to Christ unless the Holy Spirit gives us life and draws us to Christ.

We will perish unless the Lord is pleased to save us.

What good news it is to find out that the Lord is both able and willing to save sinners.

My plea is Lord please save me!

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Joseph Part 2” (24:27 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 26 April, 2026 | Previous post date: n/a

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Who Comes To Jesus Christ?

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” | Matthew 11: 28

Who comes to the Lord Jesus Christ that they might have life?

All those (everyone) who labor and are heavy laden over their sin.

“And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.” (1 Samuel 22: 2)

It was the same sort of folks that came to David in the cave of Adullam.

Who comes to the Lord Jesus Christ for life in abundance?

We have a three-fold description of those who do.

1. Everyone that is in distress. That word “distress” means “disabled.”

A disability is a lack of ability.

Everyone that is in distress (deep anguish) over their disability will come to Christ.

Blindness is a disability.

Blindness is the inability to see.

By nature, you and I (everyone) cannot see.

Being deaf is a disability.

It is the inability to hear.

Because of man’s fall, you and I (everyone) cannot hear.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44)

We cannot come to Christ.

“And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” (John 5: 40)

We will not come to Christ.

Why?

Because our sin has disabled us!

2. Everyone that is in debt.

To be in debt means to owe something to someone.

We owe a debt to God for our sin that we are unable to pay.

We are dead in sin and can do nothing to pay this debt.

We have no righteousness.

We have no equity.

Our only hope of redemption is that Christ pays our great debt of sin.

3. Everyone that is discontent.

Those who came to David were discontent (dissatisfied).

They were discontent (disgruntled) with the world’s choice of king.

They wanted to serve God’s chosen King.

If God was content and satisfied with the King He chose, they too would most certainly be.

Have you come to the King?

Are you distressed and disabled?

Do you see that you are in great debt?

Are you discontent (dissatisfied) with your imagined righteousness?

Then come to your King as those four hundred men did that came to David.

Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

He can give you peace and rest.

Though you are disabled, He can enable you to come.

Christ is the only One who can pay your debt of sin in full.

He is the only One who can satisfy God and justify you.

He is the believer’s Captain, Master, Ruler and Savior.

Come to Him, for everyone who does has life.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “Cast Your All On Christ” (29:44 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 3 July, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a

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Saving Knowledge

“No man knoweth the Father, save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal Him” | Matthew 11: 27

Men may believe in God, but there is no way that they can know the living God except in Christ.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4: 6)

They may know of His existence, but His essence and glory are only revealed in Christ.

They may know of His works, but His will and wisdom are only seen in Christ.

They may know of His power, but His purpose and decrees are only revealed in Christ.

They may be acquainted with His miracles, but His mercy and grace are only received in Christ.

They may behold His judgments, but His justice satisfied and honored is only revealed in Christ.

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1: 12)

If we miss a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus, we may talk of God all our lives and never really know Him.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “A Meeting And A Kiss” (18:05 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 2 November, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a

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Christ Receives Sinners

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” | Luke 15: 1-2

While the self-righteous Pharisees and Scribes withdrew from the Lord Jesus Christ and then harshly criticized Him, many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him. “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10: 33)

His words are words of life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

His words are words of salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)

The worst thing the Pharisees and scribes said of the Lord, “This man recieveth sinners, and eateth with them;” is the best thing any sinner could hear.

It is not sin that keeps a man from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ, it is his presumed righteousness he is going about to establish by his religious deeds. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 1-4)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

It is only by the almighty power of His sovereign grace that will effectually quicken us and make us alive in Christ that will cause us to draw near to Him, to hear Him and to believe Him.

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

This Man receives sinners!

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

What a miracle of amazing grace.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Deadly Sin Of Self-rigtheousness” (32:27 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 26 January, 2020 | Previous post date: 31 December, 2022

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I Will Love Them Freely

”I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” | Hosea 14: 4

Do you understand “freely’?”

This is the message of salvation in Christ Jesus our Redeemer. Love flows from heaven in this way.

If God did not love us “freely” then He would not love us at all.

We did not deserve His love, we did not purchase His love, and we did not even seek after His love.

What does “freely” mean?

We use it for that which is given without money and without price.

There is no bargaining in it.

A man gives “freely” when he gives hoping for nothing in return.

This is how God gave.

He said, “I will not accept their works in exchange for my love; I will not receive their love as recompense for mine; I will love them all unworthy and sinful though they be.”

Men give, but no man ever gives freely.

There is always some return or honor or recognition attached to men’s giving.

But God gives to those who can confer no honor and have no position to cause the giving.

They are destitute paupers with nothing in their pockets and no pockets to put anything in.

The Lord gives that which is unsought.

He does not give grace to those who seek it, because none ever seek grace until grace has already come.

Sovereign grace does not wait for man.

Religion says that man is running after God.

We say that man is running after all manner of sin and evil, and they do not seek God until His love comes upon them.

As the effect of God’s love, men begin to seek Him.

We do not entreat the Lord, because we hate Him.

His love comes “freely.”

Have you ever asked the sun to shine?

No, the sun shines its rays on the earth “freely.”

It comes on the blasphemer as well as the child of God.

It falls on the farm of the wicked as well as the righteous.

The rain falls upon the rock as well as upon the field.

Such is the grace of God.

It does not come because we ask it, much less because we deserve it.

His love is always first.

He does not love because Christ died, but Christ died because the Father loved.

It comes from His own infinite heart of goodness, simply because He chose to do so.

Thank God, He loves me FREELY. I can live with that.

~ Pastor Donnie Bell

Click here to listen to the message “God’s Judgement” (69:42 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 18 February, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a

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Christ Receives Sinners

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” | Luke 15: 1-2

While the self-righteous Pharisees and Scribes withdrew from the Lord Jesus Christ and then harshly criticized Him, many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him. “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10: 33)

His words are words of life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

His words are words of salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)

The worst thing the Pharisees and scribes said of the Lord, “This man recieveth sinners, and eateth with them;” is the best thing any sinner could hear.

It is not sin that keeps a man from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ, it is his presumed righteousness he is going about to establish by his religious deeds. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 1-4)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

It is only by the almighty power of His sovereign grace that will effectually quicken us and make us alive in Christ that will cause us to draw near to Him, to hear Him and to believe Him. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

This Man receives sinners!

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

What a miracle of amazing grace.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Deadly Sin Of Self-rigtheousness”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 26 January, 2020 | Previous post date: 30 April, 2021

Posted on by Sovereign Grace Bulletin Articles

Christ Receives Sinners

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” | Luke 15: 1-2

While the self-righteous Pharisees and Scribes withdrew from the Lord Jesus Christ and then harshly criticized Him, many publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6: 44)

What a blessing from the Lord to have a willingness to draw near to Him and then to have ears to actually hear a word from Him. “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.” (Acts 10: 33)

His words are words of life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24)

His words are words of salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4: 12)

The worst thing the Pharisees and scribes said of the Lord, “This man recieveth sinners, and eateth with them;” is the best thing any sinner could hear.

It is not sin that keeps a man from hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ, it is his presumed righteousness he is going about to establish by his religious deeds. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10: 1-4)

No man will ever come to Christ while he is resting in the deeds of the law for salvation. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20)

“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

It is only by the almighty power of His sovereign grace that will effectually quicken us and make us alive in Christ that will cause us to draw near to Him, to hear Him and to believe Him. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” (1 John 5: 1)

This Man receives sinners!

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2: 1)

What a miracle of amazing grace.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Deadly Sin Of Self-rigtheousness”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 26 January, 2020 | Previous post date: 30 April, 2021

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BUT BY ME and EXCEPT THE FATHER

“Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.” | Psalm 85: 10-11

“Salvation is of the Lord.”

Many in religion today preach often from the passage found in John chapter fourteen, verse six, where our Lord Jesus proclaimed that He alone is salvation. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” however many who preach stop there without finishing the rest of the verse.

I certainly understand why they do that, and I believe that they feel as though they have a good reason as to why. Those who believe that sinners are saved by man’s will, man’s work, and man’s worth, know and understand that our Lord’s words, “But by me,” destroy their theology and belief of “Salvation by works.”

Dear reader, Christ said, “No man cometh to the Father, but by me.” That means that sinners are saved only by the work of righteousness that Christ provides for God’s elect. That is why our Lord also said in John chapter six, verse forty-four that, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.”

That means the same thing. I love those little words like “but” and “except,” don’t you?

There is no salvation for me, “But,” by Christ.

There is no hope of me ever coming to Christ, “Except,” God the Father which sent God the Son draw me to Him by the cords of love, mercy and grace.

~ Pastor David Eddmenson

Click here to listen to the message “The Language Of Grace”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 28 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a